Tread Perilously

Tread Perilously -- Star Trek: The Motion Picture

With Justin and Erik away at Comic-Con, we present a special
episode featuring a film -- which started as a television pilot --
Justin has been avoiding for decades ... Star Trek: The Motion
Picture!

When an alien force of unbelievable destructive power threatens
the Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk takes his sweet time getting a
refit U.S.S. Enterprise out of dry dock to combat the new
menace. His attempt to get the old crew together is successful when
Spock joins them en route. But Commander Willard Decker chafes at
being demoted to executive officer when Kirk takes the center seat.
Will they solve the mystery of the alien death cloud before the
Earth is sterilized? Will anyone look comfortable in those
costumes?

Justin faces the endless special effects sequences and slow
start of the film while Erik tries his best to defend a beautiful
looking but poorly placed film. Justin learns that he has seen
Persis Khambatta in at least two other films. The
two also discuss the difficulties in converting a TV pilot script
into a feature film. And while you might think a twelve-minute
sequence in which the Enterprise leisurely tours the alien
death cloud is excessive, it's right at home in Star Trek: The
Motion Picture.

About the Podcast

Tread Perilously is a weekly “worst of TV” podcast.
Watching the worst episodes of popular shows, hosts Erik Amaya and Justin Robinson attempt to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on its most off-key moments. TV shows regularly tread upon include Doctor Who, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and 7th Heaven.
From family dramas to well-loved but brief sci-fi series, Tread Perilously examines how a show sustains itself even in its worst moments.